The Educated HomeBuyer | First Time Home Buyer Tips, Mortgage Rates & Housing Market Updates – Details, episodes & analysis

Have mortgage interest rates already bottomed for 2026? In this episode of The Educated Homebuyer, we break down the recent jump in mortgage rates, why global conflict, oil prices, inflation, and Treasury yields are all putting upward pressure on the market, and what that means for buyers planning to purchase a home this year. We also explain whether waiting for lower rates is a smart strategy, what would need to change for rates to fall again, and how homebuyers should think about timing the market in 2026. If you want to make a confident, informed homebuying decision in today’s market, this episode is a must-watch. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

Timestamps:
00:00 – Have mortgage rates bottomed for 2026?
00:45 – Why rates spiked (global conflict & oil impact)
02:30 – How much rates have actually increased
03:30 – Comparing past rate spikes vs. today
04:30 – Why this time may be different
05:30 – Inflation, oil, and economic ripple effects
07:30 – Government spending, debt, and rate pressure
09:30 – What needs to happen for rates to fall again
11:00 – Jobs data, inflation, and Fed outlook
13:00 – Can we see lower rates later in 2026?
14:30 – What this means for homebuyers right now
16:00 – Final take: Have we seen the lowest rates of the year?

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Waiting to buy a home could be costing you more than you think. While most buyers focus on mortgage rates, home prices, and monthly payments, very few stop to consider the true financial cost of waiting—and in many cases, it’s significant.

In this episode of The Educated Homebuyer, we break down the real math behind the “buy now vs wait” decision. From steady home price appreciation to competitive market dynamics, even modest increases in value can add up to thousands of dollars over time. And while many buyers are holding out for lower interest rates, the reality is you don’t control both price and rate at the same time.

If you're a first-time homebuyer or planning to purchase in today’s housing market, this episode will help you better understand affordability, timing, and how to make a confident decision based on your personal situation—not headlines.

In this episode, we cover:

• The hidden cost of waiting to buy a home
• How home price appreciation impacts your buying power
• Why timing the market is nearly impossible
• The relationship between mortgage rates and home prices
• How to decide if now is the right time for you to buy

Whether you're debating buying your first home or making your next move, this episode gives you the clarity you need to move forward with confidence.

CONNECT WITH US:

Jeb Smith | Huntington Beach Realtor / Orange County Real Estate

DRE #01407449

Real Broker

Josh Lewis | Huntington Beach Certified Mortgage Consultant

NMLS 234220 | CA DRE 01209148

BuyWise Mortgage

Call/Text: ⁠714-916-5727⁠

✅ Ready to become a homeowner? Start your stress-free journey today: ⁠⁠theeducatedhomebuyer.com/start⁠⁠

📩 Have questions about your situation? Shoot us an email: ⁠⁠info@theeducatedhomebuyer.com

The Federal Reserve Minutes just released confirmed a divided Fed indicating that further interest rate cuts should be paused for now. Does this mean interest rates won't go down? Could they possibly reverse course? In this LIVE episode, we’re breaking down what’s really driving mortgage rates, how the latest inflation and jobs data impact the housing market, and what it all means for buyers and homeowners heading into 2026 so you can make smart decisions and become The Educated HomeBuyer.

Connect with Us 👇

Jeb Smith | Huntington Beach Realtor / Orange County Real Estate
DRE #01407449
Real Broker

Josh Lewis | Certified Mortgage Consultant
DRE #01209148
Buywise Mortgage
Direct: 714-916-5727

A recession changes the game for first-time homebuyers, and not always in the way you’d expect. As the economy slows, we’re seeing early signs of softening interest rates, flattening home prices, and tighter lending standards. While that can open doors for some buyers, it could slam them shut for others.
In this episode, Jeb and Josh break down what a potential recession means for affordability, job security, consumer confidence, and loan qualifications. They dive deep into how economic shifts impact both opportunity and risk, so you can prepare now and make smart moves when the time is right.

✅ Ready to take the next step?

• Start your stress-free loan journey today
• Join Rate Watch – we’ll watch rates for you
• Email: info@theeducatedhomebuyer.com

Connect with Us 👇

Jeb SmithHuntington Beach Realtor / Orange County Real Estate
DRE #01407449
Real Broker

Josh Lewis
Huntington Beach Certified Mortgage Expert
DRE #01209148
Buywise Mortgage
Mobile: 714-916-5727

Housing supply is up 30% from last year, with 30% of that inventory located in Florida and Texas. So if you’re located in Maine, do you really care what the housing market is doing in Florida? In this episode, we discuss what’s currently happening in the 2025 housing market while answering your mortgage and real estate questions LIVE!

✅ Ready to take the next step?

• Start your stress-free loan journey today
• Join Rate Watch – we’ll watch rates for you
• Email: info@theeducatedhomebuyer.com

Connect with Us 👇

Jeb SmithHuntington Beach Realtor / Orange County Real Estate
DRE #01407449
Real Broker

Josh Lewis
Huntington Beach Certified Mortgage Expert
DRE #01209148
Buywise Mortgage
Mobile: 714-916-5727

Mortgage rates are stuck, affordability is brutal, and the market is being pulled in every direction by economic uncertainty. With recession fears, Fed inaction, and global trade tensions—especially tariffs—heating up, volatility is the name of the game. This episode breaks down what’s really driving mortgage rates, why they’re likely to stay high longer than expected, and how tariffs could be the tipping point that reshapes buyer behavior.

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✅ Ready to find the right loan? Start your stress-free journey today: http://www.theeducatedhomebuyer.com/start

⏩ - Let us contact you as rates drop- http://www.theeducatedhomebuyer.com/ratewatch

📩 - info@theeducatedhomebuyer.com

💻 - http://www.theeducatedhomebuyer.com

===========================================

Connect with me 👇

Jeb Smith (huntington beach Realtor/orange county real estate)

DRE 01407449 Real Broker

Connect with me 👇

Josh Lewis (Huntington Beach Certified Mortgage Expert)

DRE 01209148

Buywise Mortgage

M:714-916-5727

Inventory is up 29% causing 34% of sellers to cut their price. This is a positive sign for homebuyers as the housing market is shifting for the first time in years. In this episode we discuss what's currently happening the 2025 housing market while answering your mortgage and real estate questions LIVE!===========================================✅ Ready to find the right loan? Start your stress-free journey today: - https://www.theeducatedhomebuyer.com/start➡️Let Us Contact You When Rates Move Lower -http://www.theeducatedhomebuyer.com/ratewatch📩 - info@theeducatedhomebuyer.com💻 - http://www.theeducatedhomebuyer.com===========================================Connect with me 👇 Jeb Smith (huntington beach Realtor/orange county real estate) DRE 01407449 Real BrokerConnect with me 👇 Josh Lewis (Huntington Beach Certified Mortgage Expert) DRE 01209148 Buywise Mortgage M:714-916-5727

I refinanced my loan twice last year without paying a dime out of pocket. If you've been wondering how to lower your interest rate without upfront costs or adding to your loan balance, this is the video you need. Josh and I break down the power of lender credits, explaining how you can leverage them to avoid hefty closing costs and keep more cash in your pocket. Don't miss out on these valuable insights that could save you thousands!

===========================================

✅ Ready to find the right loan? Start your stress-free journey today: http://www.theeducatedhomebuyer.com/start

⏩ - Let us contact you as rates drop- http://www.theeducatedhomebuyer.com/ratewatch

📩 - info@theeducatedhomebuyer.com

💻 - http://www.theeducatedhomebuyer.com

===========================================

Connect with me 👇

Jeb Smith (huntington beach Realtor/orange county real estate)

DRE 01407449 Real Broker

Connect with me 👇

Josh Lewis (Huntington Beach Certified Mortgage Expert)

DRE 01209148

Buywise Mortgage

M:714-916-5727

The income needed to purchase a typical U.S. home has skyrocketed by 79% in just five years, rising from $51,646 in January 2020 to $92,538 in January 2025. This rapid increase is driven by soaring home prices and higher mortgage rates, while average weekly earnings have only grown by 25% and inflation by 23% during the same period. The housing market's affordability crisis has led to constrained home sales, with many homeowners unable or unwilling to trade their lower mortgage rates for today's costs.===========================================✅ - Ready to find the right loan? Start your stress-free journey today: theeducatedhomebuyer.com/start➡️Let Us Contact You When Rates Move Lower -http://www.theeducatedhomebuyer.com/ratewatch📩 - info@theeducatedhomebuyer.com💻 - http://www.theeducatedhomebuyer.com===========================================Connect with me 👇 Jeb Smith (huntington beach Realtor/orange county real estate) DRE 01407449 Real BrokerConnect with me 👇 Josh Lewis (Huntington Beach Certified Mortgage Expert) DRE 01209148 Buywise Mortgage M:714-916-5727

Foreclosures are rising, but the media isn’t telling you the full story. The housing market is shifting, but this is not 2008 all over again. Homeowners have equity, lending standards are tighter, and inventory remains low. Watch now to get the real data, the expert analysis, and what this means for homebuyers and sellers in 2025.

===========================================

✅ Ready to find the right loan? Start your stress-free journey today: http://www.theeducatedhomebuyer.com/start

⏩ - Let us contact you as rates drop- http://www.theeducatedhomebuyer.com/ratewatch

📩 - info@theeducatedhomebuyer.com

💻 - http://www.theeducatedhomebuyer.com

===========================================

Connect with me 👇

Jeb Smith (huntington beach Realtor/orange county real estate)

DRE 01407449 Real Broker

Connect with me 👇

Josh Lewis (Huntington Beach Certified Mortgage Expert)

DRE 01209148

Buywise Mortgage

M:714-916-5727